"Birthplace of Adolf Schicklgruber a.k.a. Hitler" Braunau am Inn by lotharlerch

Braunau am Inn Travel Guide: 15 reviews and 27 photos

Stadttorturm, often rebuilt - Braunau am Inn

A rather unspectacular town

Braunau is just one of many in architectonical respects quite similar "Inn-Salzach-towns" but there are most of them more interesting (Innsbruck, Hall, Schwaz, Rattenberg, Kufstein, Wasserburg, Passau along the Inn and Hallein, Salzburg, Tittmoning and Burghausen along the Salzach river). The reason of a particular interest in Braunau is simply the fact that it is the birthplace of Adolf Schicklgruber aka Hitler.

Why I visited Braunau

Hitler lived here

First simply because it is the district capital (Bezirkshauptstadt) of the district in which the much better known place Fúcking (on which I built my most popular VT page) is situated. And second it was until to this day the largest Austrian town which I never visited before (it has only approximately 17500 inhabitants).

I had almost succeeded much earlier to visit it . When I was working in Salzburg in 1989 I used to do short car trips after work in the late afternoons of the rare non-rainy spring days in Salzburg to explore the wider surroundings. So it happened that I drove from Salzburg half an hour north on 20 April. While I came closer to Braunau I saw plenty of police along the road so I was strictly obeying all speed limits (what I otherwise not always did then). When I could see the first houses of Braunau the road was blocked and all drivers got a leaflet explaining the reason. The centre of the town was off-limits for all not living there and it was only possible to reach the outskirts of town. The reason was Hitler's 100th anniversary, which was a heavily celebrated day in the former Third Reich. So I found a parking and looked at the weird scenery around me. It was definitely not crowded. The police was the clear majority (and many of the others probably were plainclothe police). And there were no locals around, only a few skinheads in black leather speaking Italian, a truck from the Polish TV and some elderly Germans in leather shorts with female company folcloristically dressed. I was joking that they did such a long trip and can not celebrate the birthday in town. They answered to be very happy at least to be close to the place on this glorious day...

Pros and Cons

Pros:I can not find any real pro's. Clean and sleepy.
Cons:If it was not this specific "fame" even no con's
In a nutshell:One visit is enough

Last visit to Braunau am Inn: Sep 2003
Intro Updated Nov 13, 2009
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Reviews (11)

Go to Fúcking Off The Beaten Path (2)

Braunau is the capital city of a Bezirk (engl. District) which is in Austria an administrative unit below a state (the... more travel advice

The new Pope was also born here nearby! - Braunau am Inn

The new Pope was also born here nearby! Favorites (1)

Today, on Hitler's birthday, it comes into my mind that the new Pope, Josef Ratzinger, who was elected on 19 April 2005,... more travel advice

Other Important Politicians of Austrian... Local Customs (1)

Adolf was not the only one Austrian who went abroad to better develop his political talents. Not born in Braunau but... more travel advice

This is not Charlie Chaplin! - Braunau am Inn

Avoid the 20 April Warnings and Dangers (1)

If you plan to visit Braunau avoid the 20 April because on 20 April (Führers Geburtstag, i.e. Hitler's birthday was the... more travel advice

Things to Do (3)
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Comments (17)

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salmonhunter77 Jul 26, 2008 at 11:21 AM

It is hard to imagine that anybody even mentions Hitler. This site is sick
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globetrott Apr 13, 2008 at 9:07 PM

an interesting page and a great town, that certainly would deserve to be known for its lovely architecture, rather than for the birthplace of a monster !
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fabrice Jan 14, 2008 at 2:15 AM

very interesting , in every country you have birthplaces of monsters and birthplaces of marvellous people
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KiKitC Nov 14, 2006 at 3:39 AM

Hope you have a fantastic birthday! Enjoyed your tips!
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quartinb Oct 26, 2004 at 11:25 AM

,,,who cares about hitler birthplace?,,,yac,,,!
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iandsmith May 16, 2004 at 3:14 AM

Never heard of the place. I suppose there are a few million who wish they hadn't either! Yet again, your eloquence has struck a vibrant chord with me.
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ratherton Mar 3, 2004 at 12:09 PM

20th April !! Same birthday as my ex-wife
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Helga67 Jan 24, 2004 at 1:33 PM

Interesting to read. Didn't know he was born here.
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Roeffie Jan 12, 2004 at 12:07 PM

A bad guy, but a nice town!
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CliffClaven Dec 2, 2003 at 1:49 AM

Delightful town - in spite of its most famous son